Law Reform
Law reform is a fundamental part of the PLA’s role. As the representative body of contentious and advisory property lawyers, we consistently monitor new and proposed legislation – regularly surveying our members, lobbying for change where appropriate and responding to consultation papers by the Law Commission, Ministry of Justice and others.
We also liaise with the Judiciary, the Court Service, the Law Commission and other professional groups such as the Property Bar Association, RICS, the British Property Federation and the British Retail Consortium to gather different insights and perspectives.
Members of our Law Reform Committee also sit on various Court User groups and committees, ensuring that the PLA’s voice is heard.
Below, you’ll find our latest member surveys and consultations on law reform.
Law Reform Committee
Paul Tonkin, Chair
Hogan Lovells International LLP
paul.tonkin@hoganlovells.com
Nyree Applegarth
Higgs & Sons
nyree.applegarth@higgsandsons.co.uk
Sabrina Furneaux-Gotch
Mishcon de Reya LLP
Sabrina.Furneaux-Gotch@Mishcon.com
Eloise Illingworth
Macfarlanes LLP
eloise.illingworth@macfarlanes.com
020 7849 2310
Jacqui Joyce
Property Mediation Ltd
jacqui@thepropertymediators.co.uk
Lauren King
Mishcon de Reya LLP
lauren.king@mishcon.com
Emma Pinkerton
CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP
emma.pinkerton@cms-cmno.com
William Payne
Brodies LLP
william.payne@brodies.com
01316 563746
Michael Large
Setfords Law Ltd
mlarge@setfords.co.uk
02045 420816
Adam Gross
Fladgate LLP
AGross@fladgate.com
07967 821239
Emily Carroll
University of Birmingham
e.j.carroll@bham.ac.uk
0121 414 7025
Matthew Weal
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
Matthew.Weal@hsf.com
020 7466 7535
07720 733701
PLA Surveys
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PLA proposed reform of the 1954 Act survey
18th Dec 2024
The Law Commission has recently launched the first phase of its consultation into the potential reform of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. The 1954 Act is of central importance to property litigators and any reform will have a significant impact on our work. The PLA Law Reform Committee will be preparing a response to the consultation on behalf of the PLA and is asking members to submit answers to the consultation questions using their PLA proposed reform of the 1954 Act survey.Read article
Consultations
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Property Litigation Association Response to the Proposed Reform of the 1954 Act Consultation Paper
26th Feb 2025
Property Litigation Association Response to the Proposed Reform of the 1954 Act Consultation PaperRead article -
Professional Court User Surgery 23rd January 2025
07th Jan 2025
PLA Members are invited to the Professional Court User Surgery to be held at the County Court at Central London, Thomas More Building, Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London, WC2A 2LL on Thursday 23rd January 2025.Read article -
Central London County Court Users Group
08th Jan 2024
The next Central London County Court Users Group meeting will be held on 25 January and the PLA LRC is seeking from members any comments or queries they wish to be raised.Read article
Law Reform blogs
Blogs from the Law Reform Committee.
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Blog: Law Reform Committee – Edition 11: Summary of the interim statement by Law Commission on the future of the 1954 Act.
17th Jun 2025
Law Commission has published its interim statement on the future of the 1954 Act, setting out its provisional conclusions about the current model of security of tenure, what types of tenancy should benefit from security of tenure under the 1954 Act, and what duration of tenancy should benefit. PLA Law Reform Committee member, Nyree Applegarth, provides a summary of the conclusions.Read article -
Blog: Law Reform Committee - Edition 10: Martyn's Law
12th Jun 2025
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (the Act) —commonly referred to as Martyn’s Law—received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. Named after Martyn Hett one of 22 people who died at the Manchester Arena bombing in May 2017, Martyn’s Law is designed to improve the preparedness of public venues in the event of a terrorist attack. Member of the PLA Law Reform Committee, Dr Emily Carroll, outlines what this means for Qualifying Premises with a capacity of 200 people or more.Read article -
Blog: Law Reform Committee - Edition 9: Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) Users’ meeting on 22 January 2025
28th May 2025
Eloise Illingworth of the PLA LRC attended the most recent Tribunal (Lands Chamber) Users’ meeting on 22 January 2025. In this blog, we have set out below the key takeaways and tips for PLA members and Tribunal users gleaned from the meeting.Read article